Section 40.260.075

40.260.075 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

A. Purpose.

This section provides opportunities for electric vehicle infrastructure in all zoning districts in the county. These regulations are intended to:

1. Provide adequate and convenient electric vehicle charging stations to serve the needs of the traveling public;

2. Provide opportunities for Clark County residents to have safe and efficient personal electric vehicle charging stations located at their place of residence; and

3. Provide the opportunity for commercial and industrial projects to supply electric vehicle charging station services to their customers and employees.

B. Applicability.

1. Electric vehicle infrastructure is permitted, as follows:

a. Electric vehicle charging stations equipped with Level 1 or Level 2 charging equipment as an accessory use in all zoning districts.

b. Rapid charging stations also known as Level 3 charging in CR-1, CR-2, R-30, R-43, OR-15, PR-18, OR-22, OR-30, OR-43, MX, CC, GC, IL, IH, BP, U, A, UH-10 and UH-20.

c. Battery exchange stations in CC, GC, IL and IH.

(Amended: Ord. 2016-06-12)

C. Definitions.

For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

Battery exchange station	“Battery exchange station” means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.27 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
Charging levels	“Charging levels” means the standardized indicators of electric force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle’s battery is recharged. The terms 1, 2, and 3 are the most common electric vehicle charging levels, and include the following specifications.
	•	Level 1 is considered slow charging (120-volt AC).
	•	Level 2 is considered medium charging (208- or 240-volt AC).
	•	Level 3 is considered fast or rapid charging (480-volt AC).
Electric vehicle	“Electric vehicle” means any vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on-board for locomotive purpose. “Electric vehicle” includes:
	•	battery electric vehicle;
	•	plug-in hybrid electric vehicle;
	•	neighborhood electric vehicle; and
	•	medium-speed electric vehicle.
Electric vehicle charging station	“Electric vehicle charging station” means a public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle.
Rapid charging station	“Rapid charging station” means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels and that meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

D. General Requirements.

Installation of electric vehicle infrastructure must be consistent with the rules for electric vehicle infrastructure requirements adopted by the State Building Code Council and the Department of Labor and Industries for the installation of electric vehicle infrastructure. All wires and equipment that convey electric current and any equipment to be operated by electric current must be consistent with the standards in RCW 19.27.540 and 19.28.281.

E. Process.

1. An application to establish electric vehicle infrastructure must obtain an electrical permit through Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

2. Battery exchange stations that are an addition to an existing use require a Type I site plan review process consistent with Section 40.520.040(B)(3).

3. New battery exchange stations require a Type II review process consistent with Section 40.520.040.

(Added: Ord. 2011-06-14; Ord. 2012-12-14)